After the first few games of this season I really had hope of a really good season ahead. We weren’t great but it seemed clear that we were building an identity. Where has that gone? Garner has bigged up the fact that his style is all about possession but Forest Green Rovers have just come to The Valley and comfortably equalled us on that front. Sandgaard can take a large chunk of the blame for where we are because the squad looks woefully short but Garner needs to take a bit of credit too; it’s clearly not working right now, so change something, even it’s just minor amendments to bring the CF into the game more.
More specifically, McGrandles plays like I do in my dreams where I can’t move my legs properly. CBT scored but actually had a shocker of a game. Leaburn was a bit better than Stockley but the issue is still there. Rak-Sakyi needs to shoot one or two touches earlier. I genuinely cringe when I watch Stockley try to play football. If you mixed Chin and Clayden together you’d have a good wingback.
What a disappointing evening after a bright start. Highlighted some real concerns.
Let’s face it - we have one experienced L1 standard striker in the squad (no point counting Chuks). That’s a disaster. Difficult not to hark back to Washington. No idea why Garner dropped Stockley for tonight either - it’s tough playing on your own up front against a couple of big lumps. Not really fair to expect it of Leaburn. That decision also meant we lost the option to have the two of them on for the last 15/20 when chasing the game.
We have no left back and that imbalances the defence. Shame we let reliable Ben Pur walk. Agree in current circumstances we could do worse than play JFC there. At least O’Connell could then concentrate on his own game instead of baby sitting.
Cambridge showed how you frustrate us and it is worrying we still had no answer to the same tactics by FGR. There’s the playbook for the opposition. We had no urgency at the end in either match.
Played as a bunch of individuals not a team - not using the ball to create space but relying on individual bursts of skill that rarely come off. Payne runs a lot but where’s the end product?
Innis could have got straight red. Madness.
Really missed Fraser - after his performances had finally found the groove. I’m all for workers’ rights, paternity leave etc but it is different in football when you only have c 50 matches to feature in. Bauer played in Doncaster semi final in the evening after his wife had been in labour overnight and had given birth on the morning of the match.
Ref needs to go back to park football.
Draw at home, lose away is not a good rut to be in. Probably not great for player morale when manager says they’re a mid table team even if he meant it as a message to the owner. I’m starting to fear we’re worse than that.
O'Connell had a good game and Chin grew into the match after a nervous start.
After 15 minutes it looked like it could be another Plymouth , but we have got to take a few more of the chances. Looked to be lots of our players free at the back post , but we don't seem to look up before we cross, either that or we are completely misreading the forwards signals.
Ref was awful , first half it looked like he hadn't read the memo to let some physical contact go and keep the game flowing . Spoke to their keeper countless times about wasting time. Why don't they book the keeper early and tell them if they do it again they are off.
Was in the CE Lower just behind Innes when he was red carded. Sorry cant see why people are having a pop. Last few minutes of the game ball has come across and he has busted a gut to get to it, if the defender hadn't got a touch he was in. Perhaps the people who are complaining wish he had just jumped vertically with his hands behind his back, because he deffo wasn't going to get anywhere near the ball without him trying to take some risks.
Conor McGrandles this season whipping boy?? FFS give him a chance.
He’s no scapegoat He’d struggle in my pub’s vets team never got the ball under control once gave away stupid fouls rightly booked only a moron or coward sends him out again 2nd half If Garner had a pair he had to hook him as soon as he got the yellow If he plays in the league again we’ll have to be down to our last XI registered bodies or Garner’s a tool
Disagree with this - He closed down well first half, got into the oppo box , put in some decent tackles , miscontrolled a few , but he has hardly played this year. He tired quite quickly , probably because of the lack of minutes so far. The ref was blowing up for any contact in the 1st half so i dont think you can accuse him of giving away stupid fouls , as he was pinging all of our players. Do you think Morgan was an improvement when he came on ?
PWR, have decided to miss player marking tonight, because would be pretty negative. I hope a good few (of the players!) look at themselves in the mirror tomorrow and vow to improve. Totally get why TS doubted JJ, but thought he would have produced an effective team this summer with a little backing. Instead we have a new bloke with next to no backing and it really shows.
McGrandles was poor tonight but he wasn't the only one. If he's father had played for Charlton then maybe he'd get more than a couple of games before he's written off.
Except he's 26 and not 18. McGrandles was shocking.
The stupid pricing policy meant my eldest didn't go with us. He can't commit to a ST this year and was going to attend on a pay as you go basis. That all fell apart when he found the price for a Tuesday night match ticket against FGR was north of £30. Absolutely ridiculous.
From ridiculous to surreal. In fact the most surreal thing I've witnessed at football since that bloke half-volleyed a dildo into the net at Lincoln. I presented my ticket at the automated turnstile and a human hand shot out, grabbed my ticket and positioned it under the laser-reader thing for me. What? If that's how they are going to operate, why not just have proper old fashioned turnstile operators? If the club are going to continue this, can I ask that for the Ipswich game which is just two days before halloween the mysterious ticket machine helpers are issued with these.
They seem to have taken Heineken off the menu in the Covered End (I'm not surprised at the price they wanted for it). They still sell Fozzies though, but that's now sold under the generic name 'Lager', presumably because it's more appealing. John Smiths is still sold as John Smiths though; I guess it would stretch the imagination too much to call it 'Beer'.
Well done to whoever put those big red signs on the tills in the North Upper proclaiming "Welcome To Charlton F C West". It's hard to imagine how one simple line of text could be so wrong in so many ways.
The minute's silence was followed impeccably and everyone who wanted to was able to sing along with the national anthem completely unhindered. That was Charlton fans truly showing their class. What a shame that the taking of the knee was booed by a minority of politically motivated idiots showing their lack of class.
There seemed like a lot of changes to the lineup. Perhaps a sign of desperation? It's a bold move putting your captain on the bench. Perhaps a masterstroke - time would tell.
During
Nice lively start. CBT had more shots in the opening ten minutes than Stockley's had all season. Perhaps is was a masterstroke.
Sadly not. Aside from the goal nothing was on target. At least he was trying though.
As frustrating as the game was, there were times when we played some nice passing football. Same story every week though, we're too wasteful up front and too ill-disciplined at the back.
We gifted FGR three really good chances. A decent team would have killed us off early in the second half.
I was most impressed with O'Connell, Payne and Dobson. I feel most sorry for the youngsters, though they all acquitted themselves well. Already this season we're asking too much of them. I was disappointed with Wollacott, Clare and Inniss, they could have done better.
I don't know if McGrandles is shit or not because he didn't really do anything that I noticed. Suspect that's not a good sign though.
The ref was crap, but even with the sending off I don't think he altered the course of the game. We only have ourselves to blame.
To be fair to Mr Busby, I don't think he got every decision wrong. A couple of times he was roundly booed despite having called things right. The trouble for him was that he'd already played too many one-note tunes on his shiny new whistle and he'd already made too many mistakes for his decisions to be taken seriously.
If ticket prices are over £30, then I feel like McKee & Marques must owe everyone in the crowd a good tenner each for their bloody time wasting.
"Your support is fucking shit" is a particularly poor choice of chant for a team who play in a stadium three sizes too big for them
After
It's going to be a really long season.
I'm not sure where we go from here. Neither the first-team proper, nor the precocious U23s we seem to be dependent on, have the necessary fire power for this division. It's still September and already we need reinforcements. I can't see us picking up suitable talent in the out-of-contract market, so it looks like we're stuck.
I don't know what Mr Sandgaard thinks he's doing, but whatever it is, it's not working.
McGrandles was poor tonight but he wasn't the only one. If he's father had played for Charlton then maybe he'd get more than a couple of games before he's written off.
Sorry but this is far too harsh. One of those players is a seasoned pro who was expected to come in and at the very minimum be starting most games, the other is a youth player who has shown a lot of potential and probably playing more than he should.
Performance aside, it just felt very weird at the Valley tonight.
Not too sure what caused it. Could be the cost of living crisis, the country in mourning, weather, low attendance, deadline day shambles etc.. could be anything but, it had a real Roland era feel about the ground tonight.
Our biggest problem today was left-back. Chin was struggling defensively (although he was decent in possession) and then Clayden put on an exhibition of awful attacking play
Chin was solid defensively I thought. Some good 1 on 1 defending and his positioning was decent. Can't really say he put a foot wrong tbh. You are right about Clayden though.
What do we think about JRS ending the game down the middle next to Stockley? Desperation or something they have been looking to deploy?
Imo it didnt work. JRS hardly touched the ball & if he is there for a Stockley knockdown then he'll be waiting all season.
JRS is so much better out wide where he can take defenders on & panic them. I can see why Garner tried 2 up top but tonight it didnt work - wrong personel for starters.
If I never see McGrandles in a Charlton shirt again it will be too soon.
What a ridiculous goal to give away.
I thought the referee had good game until he booked Clare and Innis, then he must have been watching a different game than the rest of us to book in Innis a second time. Yes, it was I foul, but a booking?
It’s becoming very evident that TS should probably sell up. I understand his reticence to invest given what he’s put in so far, with fees for Stockley, Kirk, Mansfield, Fraser and Lavelle, but if all he’s given Garner to work with is the budget to bring in a few free transfers from league 2, that don’t look like they’ll be near the top 6 come Jan, then what is the point.
You can’t tell me another couple of windows operating on the same budget/format that we’ve just had is going to push on, that’s not factoring in losing our ‘better players’ whoever they are.
This is absolutely looking like the beginning of the end for the TS era. He doesn’t want to invest, fair enough, but we are heading to paralysis and keeping our head above water on reputation alone. All the signs are there. The crowds, the frustration, the squad. The only way out of this mess is a new owner and I don’t want to say that after 2 and a bit years, but it’s just not working, nor will it
I get your drift here- but where are the potential buyers? They would have to be crazy
First half hour it almost felt too easy but u knew we had to score at least one more to win it - lack of a goal scorer or 2 has killed the season - not a lot more needs saying
It’s becoming very evident that TS should probably sell up. I understand his reticence to invest given what he’s put in so far, with fees for Stockley, Kirk, Mansfield, Fraser and Lavelle, but if all he’s given Garner to work with is the budget to bring in a few free transfers from league 2, that don’t look like they’ll be near the top 6 come Jan, then what is the point.
You can’t tell me another couple of windows operating on the same budget/format that we’ve just had is going to push on, that’s not factoring in losing our ‘better players’ whoever they are.
This is absolutely looking like the beginning of the end for the TS era. He doesn’t want to invest, fair enough, but we are heading to paralysis and keeping our head above water on reputation alone. All the signs are there. The crowds, the frustration, the squad. The only way out of this mess is a new owner and I don’t want to say that after 2 and a bit years, but it’s just not working, nor will it
I get your drift here- but where are the potential buyers? They would have to be crazy
I agree. Buying a league one club is crazy but there are crazy people in the football world. Personally I think any potential new owners will be trying to cut a deal with Roland before they talk to Sandgaard as that's where the real money is.
I would much rather see JFC playing as our left-back over Chin / Clayden, surely that makes the most sense over the other two options? He has played left-back a couple of times for us before from memory.
At least with him it’s an experienced player with a left foot on the left of the pitch who can fit the system, pass the ball and deliver into the box. Get him on that pitch.
Thats the way I've been thinking, but I guess the negatives might be the lack of pace (decent but not electric), current lack of game time and sharpness (which hopefully might improve), ?? risk of re-injury and therefore not saleable next window?? I would hope he's going to gradually get minutes and we can see where his form is.
Comments
Let’s face it - we have one experienced L1 standard striker in the squad (no point counting Chuks). That’s a disaster. Difficult not to hark back to Washington. No idea why Garner dropped Stockley for tonight either - it’s tough playing on your own up front against a couple of big lumps. Not really fair to expect it of Leaburn. That decision also meant we lost the option to have the two of them on for the last 15/20 when chasing the game.
We have no left back and that imbalances the defence. Shame we let reliable Ben Pur walk. Agree in current circumstances we could do worse than play JFC there. At least O’Connell could then concentrate on his own game instead of baby sitting.
Cambridge showed how you frustrate us and it is worrying we still had no answer to the same tactics by FGR. There’s the playbook for the opposition. We had no urgency at the end in either match.
Played as a bunch of individuals not a team - not using the ball to create space but relying on individual bursts of skill that rarely come off. Payne runs a lot but where’s the end product?
Innis could have got straight red. Madness.
Really missed Fraser - after his performances had finally found the groove. I’m all for workers’ rights, paternity leave etc but it is different in football when you only have c 50 matches to feature in. Bauer played in Doncaster semi final in the evening after his wife had been in labour overnight and had given birth on the morning of the match.
Draw at home, lose away is not a good rut to be in. Probably not great for player morale when manager says they’re a mid table team even if he meant it as a message to the owner. I’m starting to fear we’re worse than that.
O'Connell had a good game and Chin grew into the match after a nervous start.
After 15 minutes it looked like it could be another Plymouth , but we have got to take a few more of the chances. Looked to be lots of our players free at the back post , but we don't seem to look up before we cross, either that or we are completely misreading the forwards signals.
Ref was awful , first half it looked like he hadn't read the memo to let some physical contact go and keep the game flowing . Spoke to their keeper countless times about wasting time. Why don't they book the keeper early and tell them if they do it again they are off.
Was in the CE Lower just behind Innes when he was red carded. Sorry cant see why people are having a pop. Last few minutes of the game ball has come across and he has busted a gut to get to it, if the defender hadn't got a touch he was in. Perhaps the people who are complaining wish he had just jumped vertically with his hands behind his back, because he deffo wasn't going to get anywhere near the ball without him trying to take some risks.
Never felt so disconnected.
Cost us dear at the end.
We are a bang average third division side, so almost no chance of a top 6 place.
Before
During
After
Chin was solid defensively I thought. Some good 1 on 1 defending and his positioning was decent. Can't really say he put a foot wrong tbh. You are right about Clayden though.
JRS is so much better out wide where he can take defenders on & panic them. I can see why Garner tried 2 up top but tonight it didnt work - wrong personel for starters.
7% Play offs
74% 7th-12th
18.9% 13th-20th
0.1% Relegation
complete pony basically
Out for six months...
I thought the referee had good game until he booked Clare and Innis, then he must have been watching a different game than the rest of us to book in Innis a second time. Yes, it was I foul, but a booking?
all we need is a fit Chuks who can play 35 games….oh wait a minute
I’m totally losing interest
He is back on the grass as they say, but he really is off pace and out of salts. Don't think he should be starting games.
Personally I think any potential new owners will be trying to cut a deal with Roland before they talk to Sandgaard as that's where the real money is.
I would hope he's going to gradually get minutes and we can see where his form is.